Automated gaming assembly providing a game visual enhancement

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of the present invention may be described as an automated gaming system comprising an outcome generating means, a platform surrounding it, and a plurality of player stations. Player stations are communicatively linked to the outcome generating means to provide players with participations in a wagering game. The automated gaming system is adapted to provide player stations to at least five players to concurrently participate in the game, these players being located at similar distance from the outcome generating means and being offered an unobstructed view of the outcome generating means since the player stations are located on one side of a player when the player faces the outcome generating means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from,PCT application Ser. No. CA 05/000382, filed on Mar. 11, 2005 andentitled “Automated Gaming Assembly Providing a Game VisualEnhancement”, which claims priority from U.S. provisional applicationNo. 60/551,833 filed on Mar. 11, 2004, the specifications of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a new device designed to offer a casino-typeautomated game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in combinationwith the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automated gaming system comprisingsix player stations;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the six-player station automated gaming systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is side view of the automated gaming system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the six-player automated gaming system of FIG. 1without the head 70;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a player station attachment on theplatform of the automated gaming system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the roulette system used to establish outcomesin the six-player station automated gaming system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a screen shot representative of the image displayed on anelectronic screen of a player station during the play of a round ofroulette;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating components of the automatedgaming assembly and of the player stations of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating steps involved in playing a round ofroulette with the automated gaming system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a top view of an alternative embodiment suitably designed toplay a die game; and

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b are block diagrams illustrating components of asystem comprising the embodiment illustrated on FIG. 10.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like featuresare identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present description details an automated gamingsystem which comprises: a central section comprising an outcomegeneration system; and a plurality of player stations substantiallydisposed in periphery of the central section. The player stations areadapted to register wagers depending on received wagering inputs fromplayers using input means disposed substantially on one operative faceof each player station, and to resolve wagers based on an outcome signalreceived from the outcome generation system. The automated gaming systemis adapted to receive a substantial portion of the player stations withtheir operative face facing substantially tangentially with respect tothe outcome generation system thereby substantially facing a side of aplayer operating the player station when the player faces toward theoutcome generation system.

In another embodiment, the present description details an automatedgaming assembly comprising:—an outcome generation system;—a platformdisposed in periphery of the outcome generation system at an appropriateheight for a player facing toward the outcome generation system to havea direct view of an outcome generated by the outcome generation system.The platform comprises platform sections adapted to attach playerstations to be communicatively linked to the outcome generation systemfor a player to play an outcome generation system associated game withthe player operating a player station by using input means disposed onan operative face of each player station. The automated gaming assemblyis adapted to attach a player station with the operative face of theplayer station substantially facing a side of the player operating theplayer station when the player faces toward the outcome generationsystem.

In a first embodiment of the invention as illustrated on FIG. 1, aperspective view of an automated mechanical roulette system 10 isschematically illustrated. The roulette system 10 comprises a base 20; abody 25; a platform 30 on which player stations 40 are disposed andattached; an automated driven roulette system 45 surrounded by theplatform 30 and protected by a dome 50; and a series of support members60 supporting the system head 70 and complementary screens 80 suitablefor providing game history information. Complementary screens 80 mayalso provide special feature information or advertising information. Onthis view, a portion of the roulette system 45 is visible when the dome50 is elevated for maintenance, as illustrated.

While the embodiment provides possible solutions for particularfunctional structures, variants are available. For example, many outcomegenerating means are available, including a roulette system 45, a diegame system, and a ball game system. The player stations 40 are anyinteractive terminals communicatively linked to an outcome generatingsystem and permitting players to participate in the wagering game. Thecomplementary screens are any displaying means such as electronicscreens, electronically controlled lights, and other suitable displays.

FIG. 2 illustrates the system 10 through a top view wherein only aportion of the platform 30 and the player stations 40 are visible. Thehead 70 hides most of the player stations 40, the dome 50 and theroulette system 45 in this view.

FIG. 3 provides a side view of the system 10. On this view, a portion ofthe roulette system 45 is visible when the dome 50 is down.

As illustrated on FIG. 4, the platform 30 comprises in its centralportion a cut-out (under dome 50) for disposing the roulette system 45(see FIG. 6). The platform 30 has a generally triangular shapesurrounding the roulette system 45 with two player stations 40 disposedback to back on each tip. Globally, six player positions around theplatform 45 at a similar distance from the roulette system 45 areavailable for players to operate a player station 40 and therefore toparticipate in the roulette game. A support member 60 is also disposedat each tip near the player stations 40 closer to the roulette system45. The dome 50 is disposed above the roulette system 45 to perform aprotective function; i.e., preventing interference by anyone which couldinfluence the course of the ball during a roulette outcome generationprocess.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a player 99 being placed face to a playerstation 40 may place wagers using player station inputting means such asa touch screen, or buttons (not shown in this example). The playerstation 40 face which bears inputting means is the operative face of theplayer station 40. Once a roulette outcome generation process isinitiated, the player 99 has to rotate either his head or himself tohave a direct view of the ball determining the roulette outcome. Whenfacing the roulette system 45, the player has the player stationsubstantially on his side and has an unobstructed view of the roulettesystem 45. Only the dome 50 and a portion of the platform 30 are betweenhim and the roulette system 45; the first one being transparent and thesecond being at the same level as the roulette system 45 therefore notobstructing his view. Thus, no obstacle or unnecessary distance preventsplayers 99 from witnessing the outcome generation process.

The type of attachment used to secure player stations 40 on the platform30 offers the benefit of allowing attaching different models of playerstations 40. The attachment illustrated on FIG. 5 is based on acylindrical connector 41 used as a stop-pin in combination with anarc-shaped aperture 42 located in the platform 30. Power andcommunication wires 43 pass from the player station 40 to under theplatform 30 through the cylindrical connector 41. The player station 40rotates according to an attachment axis defined by the securing assembly44 rotatably attaching the player station 40 to the platform 30.Accordingly, the maximum rotation the player station 40 may perform isdetermined by the length of the arc-shaped aperture 42 performed in theplatform 30. A metal plate (not shown) attached to the under surface ofthe platform 30 prevents access to the wires 43. The plate 30 mayfurther be at least partially covered by a decorative triangularlyshaped support moulding (not shown) disposed between the platform 30 andthe system body 25 supporting part of the station weight. Thus, theresulting assembly permits to exchange a player station 40 with adifferent one without having to change the whole system. It furtheroffers a certain freedom of rotation for enhanced player comfort.

Even if the above example of attaching means uses a cylindricalconnector and a stop-pin combination, other variants are available suchas a permanent attachment, a sliding attachment, etc. The same applieswith wire or wireless communication with the roulette system.

FIG. 6 illustrates the roulette system 45, particularly the roulettestructure and the ball 92 used to generate the outcome. The roulettestructure comprises a series of identified slots 90 suitably designed toreceive the ball 92 at the end of its course. The slots 90 areindividually identified by a number and a color. The numeralidentifications are non-repetitive and are from 0 (or 00) to 36. Thecoloring identifications are divided in three colors: green for the 0(and 00 in appropriate cases) identified slot(s), red for half of theover 0 identified slots 90, and black for the remaining part of theslots 90; the colors alternating to never have to adjacent slots 90 ofthe same color (not shown on the roulette of FIG. 6 to ensure clarity).The roulette structure 45 presents slopes that are suitably designed toprovide the same probabilities to each slot 90 of receiving the ball 92at the end of its course while preventing the ball 92 to land anywhereelse. Canoes 94 are disposed around the slots 90 to modify the ballcourse and therefore render the prevision of the ball landing slot 90more difficult. The roulette structure 45 comprises an edge 100 limitingthe ball course into the roulette system 45. As the ball 92 decelerates,the ball 92 is forced by the slope to travel form the edge 100 towardthe center of the roulette structure to end its course in one slot 90.Outcome identifying means, comprising a light emitting diode 96 andlight detecting sensors 98, permit the roulette outcome identification.Each slot 90 has a corresponding light detecting sensor 98. When theball 92 lands in one slot 90, the corresponding light detecting sensor98 does not receive any light signal from the light emitting diode 96and therefore identifies the ball landing slot 90 to a processor whichtranslates the light detecting sensor 98 position into the rouletteoutcome. Thus, an outcome generating means comprises outcome settingmeans (ball 92 and slots 90), outcome identifying means (diode, sensorsand processor), communicating means and controlling means (programmedgame controller).

To generate a roulette outcome, the section of the roulette structure 45that bears slots 90 is driven in one rotational direction, namelyclockwise, while the ball 92 is propelled counter clockwise onto theroulette structure 45 through an ejection conduit 102 disposed onperiphery of the roulette structure edge 100 slightly over the normalcourse of the ball 92. Thus, as the ball 92 starts its course on theroulette structure 45, the ball 92 first follows the edge 100,decelerates, potentially bumps onto one or more canoes 94, andultimately lands in one slot 90.

Securely disposed in the assembly base 25, an airflow motor (not shown)propels the ball 92 into a conduit (not shown) leading the ball 92 intothe ejection conduit 102 when needed, a roulette motor (not shown)drives the rotation of the rotating section of the roulette structure,and a gaming controller 120 (schematically shown on FIG. 8) controls theairflow motor and the roulette motor. The gaming controller 120 alsocontrols the means detecting the roulette outcome, namely the lightemitting diode 96 and the light detecting sensors 98. It furthercontrols the means retrieving the ball 92 from the roulette structureonce the outcome is generated and identified, what is performed byelevating a portion of the roulette structure for the ball 92 to fall ina receiving container disposed under the elevated portion of theroulette structure and leading the ball back in the airflow fed conduit.Furthermore, the gaming controller 120 is in communication with theplayer stations 40. The gaming controller 120 may also be incommunication with other components, such as a sound controller, acomplementary screen controller, a management system, security anddetection systems, and a player tracking system through a local areanetwork (LAN) or a wireless communication network.

As stated, the player stations 40 are in communication with the gamingcontroller 120. Each player station 40, in the described embodiment,comprises a controlling means (a controller 140 or a program)controlling participation in the game, namely exchanging data andsignals with other player station components and controllingcommunication with the gaming controller 120. Displaying means (theelectronic screen 142, lights) visible by the player providesinformation to the player on the conduct of the game, as illustrated onFIG. 7. The electronic screen 142 provides a image of a wagering mat110; a series of counters 112 informing the player on statuses such theamount of credits wagered 112 b, the credits remaining available 112 ato wager, and the prize won 112 c; a message box 114 informing on gamestate as if wagers are either or not possible to place; and an outcomearea 116 informing players on last outcomes. The player stations alsocomprise player inputting means 144 embodied in touch screens, buttonsand/or other sensing surfaces; monetary inputting means 146 such a coinhopper, card receiving means or a ticket reader; and an awarding meanssuch as a ticket printer. Player stations 40 also comprise storing means(memory 150 or counters) maintaining programs, data and counterinformation such as wagering information.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates functional relationship existingbetween a player station 40 and the automated gaming assembly. Theplayer station controller 140 exchanges signals with the player stationcomponents to player the game, and with the gaming controller 120.According to gaming controller signals, different states are set in thegame played on the player station 40, resulting in the game being atdifferent steps of its process. For its part, the gaming controller 120exchanges signals with the roulette mechanism 122 (such as the differentmotors) influencing the roulette and ball state 124, outcomeidentification means 128, and protecting means 126 includingprotection-related sensors and dome mechanism. The assembly comprisesmemory 130 used by the gaming controller 120 to keep programs andregistered information.

FIG. 9 illustrates steps involved in playing roulette. The processstarts with the gaming controller 120 secured in the automated gamingsystem 10 signalling the player stations 40 that a round is ready tostart (step 150). In accordance, the player stations 40 activate thecredit receiving process (step 152) and the wagering process (step 154).During these processes, the players may place new credits in theirplayer stations 40 and used the credits available to place wagers on thenext roulette outcome. An end wagering process (step 156) is alsoperformed to prevent new wagers from being placed (step 158) when theoutcome generation process fulfills an advancement criterion. Thus, theroulette play involves initiation of the roulette game outcomegeneration (step 170) taking form of the gaming controller 120 sendingsignals to the motor for the ball 92 to be propelled on the roulettestructure. According to settings, the end wagering process (step 156)may involve evaluation of the ball speed or a ball travelling duration.After the wagering process has ended on player stations 40 (step 158),the ball 92 ultimately lands in one slot 90, the outcome is identified,and the gaming controller 120 transmits the roulette outcome to theplayer stations 40 (step 160). Each player station controller 140resolves registered wagers (step 162) based on the received outcomesignal; and pays the player accordingly, typically by increasing anddecreasing counter values (164). Then, when the time is up, usually thetime to retrieve the ball 92 from its landing slot 90, a new round isinitiated (step 150).

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the gameplayed is a die game (such as a crap game) with the playing stationsdisposed around the outcome generation assembly 160 being of two kinds:a) wagering stations 180 comprising a ticket reader, an electronicscreen with touch screen and a station controller (not visible), and b)player stations 190 with a ticket reader 192, enhanced electronic screenand touch screen comparable to wagering stations 180, and a stationcontroller (not visible). A player using a wagering station 180 mayplace wagers on the die outcome while a player using a player station190 may further apply some control over the outcome generation process,such as, depending on the game played, holding die, modifying die tosssettings, etc.

Communicatively linked to the automated gaming assembly 160 butphysically separately located is a service station 170 permittingplayers to transfer money entered in the service station 170 intocredits available to be wagered. Thus, a player feeds the servicestation 170 with the amounts he wants to wager at the beginning of itsplay session, receives a ticket identifying his account, goes to awagering station 180 or a player station 190, and places his ticket intothe ticket reader 182 or 192. The station 180 or 190, after reading theticket, communicates with an accounting system, transfers founds to thestation 180 or 190 where the credits become available for the player towager. When the player desires to ends his session, he removes theticket from the station 180 or 190, places it into a service station 170wherein the ticket is exchanged for a redeemable voucher an attendantmay exchange for standard currency.

Thus, the block diagram illustrating the system for the play of anautomated die game using the assembly of FIG. 10 is slightly differentfrom the one hereinabove depicted. FIG. 11 illustrates the systemcomprising the automated gaming assembly 200, the player station(s) 220,the wagering stations 240, and the service station(s) 260. A network(LAN) 290 links the service station(s) 260, the automated gamingassembly 200 and a central server 280 wherein an accounting database 282maintains information on found transfer, such as money deposited inservice station(s) 260, credit transferred to a player station 220 or awagering station 240, and credits transferred into vouchers redeemableby attendants. A secured network 292 maintains communication between thegaming controller 202 and the station controllers 222 and 224.

As illustrated, each service station 260 comprises a controller 262that: a) maintains communication with the central server 280; b)commands the printing of ticket printing and voucher printing by aprinter 264 for allowing player to play or to redeem prizes won; c)commands ticket reading to be read by a reader 266 when a player endsits session; and d) accesses memory 268.

The automated die assembly 200 may comprise protecting means 206 (asexample including a dome) preventing players from fraudulentlyinfluencing the outcome, an outcome generation mechanism 204 beingpartially controllable by a player at a player station using outcomecontrol inputs, die 208, and die identification means 210 includingimage capturing and analysing means. These components are more or lesscontrolled by the gaming controller 202 depending in part from signalsreceived from a player station for the outcome generation. The assemblyfurther comprises memory 212 for storing necessary programs andregistering information.

The player station(s) 220 and wagering stations 240 are composed of acontroller 222 and 242; an electronic screen 224 and 244 adapted fortheir particular needs; input means 226 and 246 also adapted for theirparticular needs; a ticket reader 228 and 248; and memory 230 and 250.As stated, the needs of a wagering station 220 differ from the ones of aplayer station 240. The latter permits a player to influence the outcomegeneration process while the wagering station 220 capability is limitedto placing wagers regarding die outcomes. Thus, an outcome generationprocess includes signal exchange between the gaming controller 202 and aplayer station controller 222.

Other physical embodiments are possible according to the kind ofstations that are suitable for the game, the available equipment, andthe services that have to be offered at the player stations. Forinstance, the stations may essentially be located on the platform, bedistinct devices extending around the platform, or partially to almosttotally embedded in the platform. Touch screen, buttons, matting withwired sensors underneath, one screen or many screens of differentdimensions, or even no screen can be used according to the needs.

Another embodiment (not illustrated) is one wherein the players are allfacing the same direction. For instance, the player stations may allhave their operative faces facing clockwise, therefore establishing thatplayers are all facing the some direction between the back and the sideof the player placed in front of him. Accordingly, players may preferthis configuration depending on his preferences regarding the proximityof other players.

Yet another embodiment (not illustrated) is one wherein player stationscomprise two operative faces substantially opposed to each other.According to this embodiment, two players disposed at locations on thetwo sides of a platform tip may participate in the wagering game.

An addition to one embodiment is a player station remotely located fromthe automated gaming system, and receiving both outcome signals andcaptured images from the automated gaming system. In this case, theplayer located at this remote player station would witness the outcomethrough the captured image rather than witnessing it live.

Another embodiment is an assembly wherein an attendant would participatein the game even if the wagers are resolved by player stations.

As the above embodiments were disclosed for the play of roulette and diegames, other games may benefit from similar gaming systems. The list ofsuitable games includes bingo, keno, electronic card games, or evenautomated race games.

Furthermore, the automated gaming assembly and player stationcontrollers may be adapted for the play of a pari-mutuel game.Accordingly, wagering information would be continuously exchangedbetween player stations. In consequence, the wagering resolutionprocess, rather than demanding knowledge only of the outcome and of astatic pay schedule, would demand more information from other sources,at least wagering information from other player stations. Theinformation exchange would be different but the assembly wouldessentially remain the same. Other embodiments could also differregarding programs, games, communication, game control, etc. withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

It is intended, while block diagram illustrates system componentscommunicating with each other, that those skilled in the art willrecognize that the invention may be embodied through a combination ofhardware and software components. These components are illustrates assuch in the appended block diagrams solely to teach theirfunctionalities and relationship. Thus, programmable computers, computerapplications or operating systems may be suitable to perform functionsillustrated by one or more illustrated components without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

Furthermore, in case of some functional components being possible to beembodied as functional methods, these methods may be embodied in amachine or a system, carried out as a computer readable medium, aprocessing-readable memory, or communicated as an electrical orelectro-mechanic signal.

Thereupon, the intent of the above document is to efficiently teach theinvention through exemplary embodiments, while solely the appendedclaims are intended to define the scope of the invention.

1. An automated gaming system comprising: a central section comprisingan outcome generation system; and a plurality of player stationsdisposed in periphery of the central section, wherein the playerstations are adapted to register wagers depending on received wageringinputs from players using input means disposed on an operative face ofeach player station, and to resolve wagers based on an outcome signalreceived from the outcome generation system, and wherein the automatedgaming system is adapted to provide the player stations with theiroperative face facing substantially tangentially with respect to theoutcome generation system thereby substantially facing a side of aplayer operating the player station when the player faces toward theoutcome generation system.
 2. The automated gaming system of claim 1,wherein at least one of said player stations further comprises:displaying means for displaying information regarding participation inthe wagering game; storing means for storing data related to thewagering game; communicating means for receiving signals from theoutcome generation means; and controlling means controllingparticipations in the wagering game, comprising controlling thedisplaying of game information, the storing of game data used in gameparticipations and the exchange of communications with the outcomegenerating means.
 3. The automated gaming system of claim 1, wherein theoutcome generating means comprising: outcome setting means for settingoutcomes; outcome identifying means for identifying outcomes;communicating means for communicating signals [which signals?] from ????to???; and controlling means adapted to signal the outcome generatingmeans to initiate a game outcome generation process, to receive anoutcome signal from the outcome identifying means, and to transmit agame outcome signal to at least one of player stations.
 4. The automatedgaming system of claim 3, wherein the controlling means of the outcomegeneration means receives a signal from one of said player stations, andgenerates and communicates a response signal to one of said playerstations modifying one of a game outcome generation process, and a wagerresolving process.
 5. The automated gaming system of claim 1, whereintwo of said player stations are disposed substantially back to back. 6.The automated gaming system of claim 1, wherein the outcome generatingmeans and the platform are at similar height.
 7. The automated gamingsystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of said player stations isattached to the platform through attaching means that permits, when theplayer station is released, to exchanged said player station withanother one of a different model.
 8. The automated gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of said player stations is rotationallyattached to the platform, whereby permitting adjustment of orientationof said player station.
 9. The automated gaming system of claim 3,wherein the game outcome is one of roulette, a die game, a ball game,and a virtual card game.
 10. The automated gaming system of claim 3,wherein the game outcome is one generated using at least one of balls,cards, electronically generated images, and die.
 11. The automatedgaming system of claim 3, wherein the game outcome is one generatedusing symbols, with said symbols being provided either by reels, wheelsor electronic displays.
 12. The automated gaming system of claim 3,wherein the outcome generation system comprises a roulette system usinga roulette spinning portion and a ball rolling at an initial speedgradually decreasing during the outcome generation process, theautomated gaming system further comprising speed evaluating means thatevaluates the speed of the ball and that signals the controlling meansof the outcome generation system when a predetermined speed criterion isreached upon which said controlling means signals the player stations toprevent new wagers from being registered.
 13. The automated gamingsystem of claim 1, wherein the automated gaming system iscommunicatively linked to an additional remote player station.
 14. Theautomated gaming system of claim 1, further comprising an attendantposition where an attendant controls the conduct of the wagering game.15. The automated gaming system of claim 1, further comprising anadditional displaying means providing one of: a) special featureinformation, b) game history information, and c) advertisinginformation.
 16. The automated gaming system of claim 1, further beingcommunicatively linked to a service station wherein one of said playersperforms monetary processes permitting said player to register creditsavailable to be used on one of said player stations.
 17. The automatedgaming system of claim 16, wherein the service station is structurallyremote from the automated gaming system.
 18. The gaming system of claim1, wherein one of said player stations further comprises an operativeface which normally points a direction between a vertical direction andsubstantially toward one of said players operating said player station.19. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein one of said player stationsfurther comprises two operative faces facing substantially oppositedirections, wherein each one of said operative faces is adapted toprovide participations in the wagering game to one of said players. 20.An automated gaming assembly comprising: an outcome generation system; aplatform disposed around the outcome generation system at an appropriateheight for a player facing toward the outcome generation system to havea direct view of an outcome generated by the outcome generation system;the platform comprising platform sections adapted to attach playerstations to be communicatively linked to the outcome generation systemfor a player to play an outcome generation system associated game withthe player operating a player station by using input means disposed onan operative face of each player station, wherein the automated gamingassembly is adapted to attach a player station with the operative faceof the player station substantially facing a side of the playeroperating the player station when the player faces toward the outcomegeneration system.
 21. The automated gaming assembly of claim 20,wherein the platform comprises a tip section extending outwardly withrespect to the outcome generating means wherein said attaching means islocated.
 22. The automated gaming assembly of claim 20, wherein theoutcome generating means and the platform are at similar height.
 23. Theautomated gaming assembly of claim 20, wherein said attaching means areadapted to attach two of said player stations in a back to backconfiguration.
 24. The automated gaming assembly of claim 20, whereinsaid attaching means are adapted to attach one of said player stationscomprising two operative faces facing substantially opposite directions,thereby adapted to provide concurrent participations of two of saidplayers in the wagering game.
 25. The automated gaming assembly of claim20, wherein one of said player stations is either embedded in theplatform, annexed to the platform, or installed on the platform.
 26. Theautomated gaming assembly of claim 20, wherein the outcome generatingmeans generates roulette outcomes.
 27. The automated gaming assembly ofclaim 20, wherein the outcome generating means uses at least one of aball, a card, an electronically generated image and a dice to generatean outcome.
 28. The automated gaming assembly of claim 20, wherein theoutcome generating means uses symbols to generate outcomes, with saidsymbols being provided either by reels, wheels or an electronicdisplaying means.
 29. The automated gaming assembly of claim 20, whereinthe attaching means permits to adjust orientation of an attached playerstation.
 30. The automated gaming assembly of claim 20, wherein theoperative face of one of said player stations, when attached to theplatform, is pointing a direction between a vertical direction andsubstantially toward the player operating said player station.